Tension frame



Jam, W WW B. A. LANGDAHL TENSION FRAME Filed April 21, 1947 IN vex/roarPatented Jan. 17, 1950 UNITED "sTA'rEs PATENT OFFICE.

2,494,949 TENSION FRAME I liternard A. Langdahl, Duluth, Minn. 1Application April 21, 1947, Serial No. 742,871

' 3 Claims.

This invention relates to hide or skin stretching devices andparticularly that type in which a relatively light open frameis'u'sedand a plurality'of hide engaging ties are -selectively attached to saidframe for suspending the hide or other object to be stretched withintheframe.

Paramount among the objects sought in the instant invention is the quiteuniversal adaptability of the novel annular form of frame instead ofrectangular as is now commonlin theart.

It is deemed'the unusual conveniences of the circular frame will appearas the description thereof proceeds.

Primarily the uniform resistance to collapsible inward radial stressesof an annular frame as compared to those of a rectangular frame areobvious and deemed an important characteristic of the invention.

Another novel feature or accomplishment is that of providing an improvedtype of teather having holdfast means at one end thereof and anchorableat any point throughout its length to said frame.

Still another object is to provide a novel and practical union of partsof the frame all of the same length and form for most convenienttransportation and storing when knocked down.

A further object is to provide a simple inexpensive stretching frame andcooperative parts most convenient for accommodation of two objects beingstretched simultaneously and that without any interference whatever ofone with the other.

Other objects and advantages will appear during the further descriptionof the invention.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this application:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one of the improved stretchers as itmight appear partly engaged in holding 2. hide for example, that of abeaver.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the hide engaging end of oneof the teathers or ties.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the edge of one of the frame unions.

Fig. 4 is an outer elevational view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the male terminus of one ofthe frame sections showing the cut-out portions in the edges of the maleend of each section of frame to accommodate the hitching of the teatherstherethrough.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a short section of modified form offrame for increased stability when deemed expedient.

The reference numeral l represents one arouate section of the flathoop-like circular frame and of which there are preferably four in all,particularly for convenience in nesting when knocked. down fortransportation or storage.

The ends of each section I are so designed as to forman exceptionallystrong interlocking and overlapping connection with the next section.For example, one end of each section is provided with an outwardlyextending preferably rectangularly shaped male member or lug 2 forengagement within a similarly shaped hole 3 spaced inwardly the properdistance from the outer overlapping female end of the adjoining section.

To secure such interlocking engagement when completing the assembly ofthe frame, a single bolt 4 equipped with a wing nut 5 is employed ateach connection through suitable registering holes in the overlappingsections and which when drawn up tightly forms an unyieldable strong'union of the parts.

The chain teathers or ties 6 are of simple construction each terminatingat one end in a U- shaped grab hook I for hooking engagement throughselected tougher portions of the hide adjacent the marginal edgesthereof.

} It may appear that an unnecessary large number of these teathers isprovided for in so many notches 8 being formed upon the opposite edgesof the circular frame but obviously the fact is that a convenienceexists in numbers by lessening the strain upon each teather and reducingthe possibility of any of them tearing out to a minimum which results ina much more evenly stretched hide.

The teathers being formed each of a relatively short length of commonfiat linked chain as shown provides most convenient means for selectionof the proper link to engage edgewise into its respective notch or slot8 where it is obvious such connection is ideally dependable againstaccidental slipping.

Where the overlapping end portion of the sections I occur provision ismade to avoid interference with normal functioning of the links of thechain teathers within their respective notches 8 by forming in theopposed edges of preferably the innermost one of the overlappingportions ample arcuate cut-out portions 9 to provide ample free accessto each registering slot.

A novel advantage in addition to the reenforcing feature in thestructure shown in Fig. 6 is that when the device is placed on end on afloor the possibility of such displacing any of the teathers from theirslots is greatly reduced.

circle which may be made by assembling same,

means toassemble said sections to form said circle comprising a lugprojecting inwardly from one end of each of said sections and a hole inthe opposite end thereof, the lug of each section being adapted to bereceived in the hole of its adjacent section whereby a circle is formedwith portions of each section overlapping its adjacent section, means toreceive :a .bolt through the overlapping portions of said sections, and"a plurality of chains having means at one end thereof to engage theobject being stretched and being adapted to be adjusta'bly secured insaid notches.

2. A. stretching device comprising a plurality of sections, each made ofa strip 'of rigid material and having a plurality of notches in spacedrelation along a longitudinal edge thereof, said sections beingarcuately shaped and united to form a circle, union of saidrsectionscomprising a lug projecting inwardly from one end of each of saidsections and 9. lug receiving hole on the opposite end thereof, the lugof each section being carried within the hole of its adjacent section,said sections each having a portion thereof overlapping its adjacentsection, a bolt through each of the overlapping portions of saidsections, and a plurality of chains having means at one end thereof toengage the object being stretched and being adapted tube adjustabiycarried by said notches.

3. The structure as set forth in claim 2 and said sections having areenforcing rib longitudinally thereof.

BERNARD A. LANGDAHL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of(this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number .Name Date 670,969 Robertson etal. Apr. 2,1901 702,559- Duff Aug. 26, 1902 1,726,254 .Allenet a1 Augz'27, 19292,288,367 .Hintz May 19, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date343,469 Nov. 2, 1921

